Can someone explain that business about sanitary products and hospital workers

[Ohmycron]

I don’t understand why they just can’t take a big pack in in case they run short like everyone else does

Have I missed something.

Before I go on shift I pee and use a large menstrual cup and a nighttime pad because I literally have no idea when ill get to the toilet next.

If someone becomes unwell suddenly you cannot move, and it could be hours before a bed in higher care is turned around. If you have someone confused who constantly tries to get out of bed (at least once per shift in medical) you can't move until someone covers you. If I get 45 seconds to pee some nights its a blessing.

Really? Seems unlikely !! Surely you take a piss somewhere

have you never worked in a surgical theatre?

Agree with all of the above, it’s not necessarily just about having the time, it’s about access to your personal belongings.

I’m a doctor. Last week I was on nights, these were 12 1/2 hour shifts working alone across multiple different areas of the hospital eg A&E, several different wards, theatres, PACU... My bag was stashed in a corner of an office that was at times a ten minute walk away. (NB: in multiple years working across different trusts I’ve never ever had a locker, this is not at all uncommon). You can’t just pop to get your bag if you’re juggling multiple sick patients, and the scrubs we are required to wear have one single pocket, in which I already carry 2-3 different bleeps, pens, handover sheets, pen torch, stethoscope etc etc. Having easy access to pads/tampons would make life easier for so many, at a relatively low cost. I don’t understand the objections.

@Carinattheliqorstore1

I don’t work as an HCP. But I can completely understand why they would need sanpro in the toilets.

I cannot believe how thick some people on this thread are: how they cannot see why an HCP cannot just saunter back to their locker to get a tampon or whatever

We never had lockers where I worked. Seriously, you just put a couple of pads in your pocket like every other worker and student in the country.

I apologize but how can we as 'patients-visitors' know where abouts staff keep their personal stuff
It wouldnt hurt to keep/provide some stuff in the lavs for staff use only but like everything people have a tendency to filch stuff so how long it would last is anyones guess

@Mum78911 - in my hospital infection control have banned wearing your stethoscope around your neck, so every time you pull it out of your pocket everything else in there falls out too. Not really workable. also i'm in paediatrics so lots of bending over, kneeling on the floor etc. It just doesn't work to have sanitary products in your pocket. Just because something worked for you, doesn't automatically mean it should work for everyone.

My bag is also in a totally different building to where I do a lot of my work. The last time I flooded badly I'd just been to see a newborn who I suspected had something seriously wrong and I needed to admit them to NICU. As I finished reviewing them I became aware of a tiny trickle. If there had been sanitary products on the ward would have gone and changed my pad quickly and then continued my work. I didn't feel I could leave the poor mum with no explanation for the 20mins a trip to my locker would take, when she knew there were concerns. So I put her first, flooded badly and then had to deal with the sister on the ward being snarky about how their scrubs were only for their staff.

Aside from a basic human dignity issue, and wanting to take care of HCPs, I certainly wouldn't want me or a loved one to be treated by someone that is distracted by the fact she's bleeding through her scrubs, or be left without care because they need to make a 20 minute round trip to get a tampon.

@simonisnotme

Im not convinced that they are so busy all the time that they cant go for a wee

Then you are not sufficiently educated on the topic. And clearly you haven’t ever worked in a job that requires actual hard work for a continuous 8-12 hour stretch. Don’t suppose you can imagine not having a cup of tea or coffee in that time either. Or some water.

Welcome to the real world.

[quote gogohm]@whysitspicey

This is the same in many occupations not just hospitals - factory's, hospitality etc have scheduled breaks and you can't leave in between. My dd learned the hard way and bought period knickers [/quote]
If you have an issue with your daughter not getting enough breaks to change her san pro/go to the toilet, campaign to get better working conditions for all women in all professions. Don't try and minimise what others have to go through.

Period pants are not a reality for many women who suffer with exceptionally heavy periods due to endo or other conditions.

and then had to deal with the sister on the ward being snarky about how their scrubs were only for their staff.

Ahh yes, the authentic junior doctor experience

I'm an ex hospital worker Formerly. To make out you need sanpro as though you're deprived is frankly shocking. Yes put some in the toilets by all means. Like toilet paper. It will probably get stolen like the toilet paper. But making a massive issue about it is pathetic. Lots of people have difficult jobs. A baby might have died because I didn't have a pad and my locker was a mile away! Get a grip.

[quote gogohm]@whysitspicey

This is the same in many occupations not just hospitals - factory's, hospitality etc have scheduled breaks and you can't leave in between. My dd learned the hard way and bought period knickers [/quote]
I've also worked in multiple hospitality settings and offices during my youth and have always been 'allowed' to go to the toilet when needed. Someone else is always able to pick up your tables for you for 5/10 minutes. It doesn't work like that in a healthcare setting when your bag is in another building and you have a list of 40 patients just for you and no one else is able to cover as they also have 40 patients to see.

@Mum78911

I'm an ex hospital worker Formerly. To make out you need sanpro as though you're deprived is frankly shocking. Yes put some in the toilets by all means. Like toilet paper. It will probably get stolen like the toilet paper. But making a massive issue about it is pathetic. Lots of people have difficult jobs. A baby might have died because I didn't have a pad and my locker was a mile away! Get a grip.

What a repulsive comment. Completely missing the point of what @Formerlythesame was trying to say. Coming from an 'Ex hospital worker' as well.

God there are some people on this thread who I hope are never within a mile of patients

You're right, I don't get it at all.

To be fair the ex bit is a blessed relief

And a quick AS really is interesting

@Mum78911

I'm an ex hospital worker Formerly. To make out you need sanpro as though you're deprived is frankly shocking. Yes put some in the toilets by all means. Like toilet paper. It will probably get stolen like the toilet paper. But making a massive issue about it is pathetic. Lots of people have difficult jobs. A baby might have died because I didn't have a pad and my locker was a mile away! Get a grip.

I never said a baby might have died. I said I prioritised talking to a mum over my own comfort.

I've never made any sort of fuss about this in work, in fact until I read this thread it had never occurred to me that there shouldn't just be option A) delay care/ communication or option B) risk an embarrassing personal incident. But I recognise that that's because as a woman I've subconsciously absorbed the message that is women should just get on with it, and never talk about periods and never cause a fuss.

I don't understand why you're so antagonistic towards anyone who has had a different experience to you? And yes, I do believe women in schools and in factories and all the rest should also not be put in this position.

@Mum78911

I'm an ex hospital worker Formerly. To make out you need sanpro as though you're deprived is frankly shocking. Yes put some in the toilets by all means. Like toilet paper. It will probably get stolen like the toilet paper. But making a massive issue about it is pathetic. Lots of people have difficult jobs. A baby might have died because I didn't have a pad and my locker was a mile away! Get a grip.

Thank goodness someone lacking in empathy as you are is an ex hospital worker.

What because I couldn't carry a pad?

I'm sure you'd have had one right next to your typewriter

Breaks don't happen anymore. Sorry for those of you who can't quite believe it but it's true. There's literally not enough staff to function safely so toilet/meal breaks go out the window.

The wee issue is easily solved by just not drinking for 13 hours. Can't let a full bladder slow you down. Lol.

Periods however, cannot be held in. Myself and colleagues usually use toilet paper when we can't get to our bags. It doesn't work very well and ends up disintegrating.

Yes sanpro being available in the toilets would be a massive help.

Ah yes the troll hunter. I have had more than one job in 40 years.

No troll hunting here
Just pointing out that given that you worked as an audio typist it's hardly likely you'd be stuck in theatres or icu for hours managing exceptionally sick patients
It's all about perspective you see

I work in an office , we supply sanitary product free in our toilets. We’ve had them since 2018 between 20 plus women and a small handful have been used. No one is using them instead of buying their own it’s just there in case someone has a unexpected need. Obviously most people use their preferred brands.